The Revealed Secret

As soon as this thought emerged, over a dozen names and factions instantly appeared on Ning Huan's mental list.

Shrek, which viewed honor as its life...

The four great empires, brimming with ambition...

And those Title Douluo, each harboring their own obsessions...

All of these were within the scope of his plan.

Greed, at times, truly is the weakness of human nature that is easiest to control.

Temporarily suppressing the petty schemes constantly bubbling up in his mind.

He then looked back at Ning Tian, who had just regained her composure and was now bowing her head in deep thought, secretly musing:

Hmm, she seems to have grown up quite a bit.

At the very least, she is no longer blindly imitating others like before, deliberately trying to act like her father.

That was incredibly uncomfortable to be around.

Thinking of this, Ning Huan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, quickly dispelling such thoughts.

That was petty of him!

A little brat who had been overly protected, idolizing her father and being force-fed various sect ideologies all day long.

It would be strange if she didn't imitate him.

Was it really worth it for him to lower himself to her level...

However, letting the flower buds in the garden witness the reality of the outside world in advance didn't seem like such a bad thing.

Just like now, at least she wouldn't need to endure several [Protagonist Beatdowns] before she could truly grow.

"Since you've figured it out, hurry up and get up."

As he spoke, Ning Huan walked slowly to Ning Tian and used a little strength in his arm to help her up.

"Otherwise, your little sister here is going to eat me alive."

"You bastard, you know that, do you!"

Sure enough, as soon as these words left his mouth, Wu Feng, who had been full of worry, bristled instantly.

"If it weren't for you spouting nonsense, how would the Young Master have..."

"Feng-mei! Silence!"

Having straightened her clothes, Ning Tian wore a cold little face and reprimanded her softly.

"Today's matter ends here. Do not mention it ever again!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me for being heartless."

Upon hearing this, Wu Feng felt a jolt in her heart; she instantly wiped away her angry expression and bowed in acknowledgment.

"Yes!"

There was no helping it; she couldn't understand the content of the conversation the two had just had.

But she could still sense the unprecedented severity in her Young Master's tone.

Besides, there were many days ahead; only a fool would go against her at a time like this!

Seeing that Wu Feng had no objections, Ning Tian shifted the topic abruptly, not saying another word about Cang Lan.

"Brother Ning Huan, it's getting late. Let's go eat."

"I'll take you around for a tour while I'm at it, so you don't get lost in your own sect."

After saying this, Ning Tian took the lead, pulling Wu Feng along as she walked in front.

Noticing that Ning Huan was still standing there lost in thought, having not yet moved his feet, she urged him repeatedly:

"Hurry up! In a little while, the sect disciples will finish their morning training!"

"Mm, coming."

Looking at the figure before him, now devoid of any traces of imitation, a sense of accomplishment welled up in Ning Huan's heart.

Look at that; this is the vitality a nine-year-old child should have.

How on earth did Ning Hao raise his child!

Recalling his own past experiences of being laughed at for imitating adults, a teasing remark slipped out.

"Tsk tsk, smart, considerate—I really don't know which brat will get lucky with you in the future."

"Ah! Brother Ning Huan, what are you saying! I'm only nine!"

"That's true, already nine. Among the nobility, you'd probably be engaged by now."

Speaking of this, Ning Huan suddenly felt a bit mischievous.

He then glanced at Wu Feng, who was flustered but pretending to be calm, and said pointedly:

"Not to look too far, look at Wu Feng. She's the same age as you, doesn't she have a lik..."

"!!!"

"Big Brother, you're my own big brother from now on! You really can't go around saying things like that!"

"I beg you, be the bigger person and let me off the hook!"

Startled into a stress response, Wu Feng turned, sprinted, covered his mouth, and begged for mercy, all in one fluid motion.

While terrified that her little secret might be exposed, she was also inwardly puzzled as to how Ning Huan knew she liked Ning Tian.

She had disguised it well enough; even the Young Master hadn't noticed.

"Mmph! Mmph!!"

"Whoa, you little brat, you're not very old, but your grip is something else! Truly worthy of being an Assault System Spirit Master!"

Relying on his height advantage to break free, Ning Huan pushed Wu Feng away.

A smile reached his eyes, only to vanish in an instant.

He suddenly felt that some things were better resolved while one was still young.

"Logically speaking, I shouldn't be interfering in this, as it concerns the bond between the two of you."

"But I have accepted the position of Chief, and I have heard Ning Tian call me brother."

"Both for public and private reasons, I cannot turn a blind eye."

As his voice fell, Wu Feng's face, previously flushed red with shame and anger, turned deathly pale, and her whole body began to tremble.

She didn't even notice that she had bitten her lips so hard they were bleeding, filling her mouth with the metallic taste of iron.

"So... are you trying to separate us?"

"No."

"As I thought... hm? No?"

Watching the girl's transition from unyielding defiance to shocked confusion, Ning Huan felt utterly helpless.

If he could, he really wouldn't want to meddle in other people's business.

Especially when it came to matters of the heart.

So, the question was!

This mess might not matter in the short term, but it would be hard to say for the future.

If left unchecked, Wu Feng would likely be seduced by an opportunity and end up stabbing them in the back at a critical moment.

Don't ask him how he knew.

The lessons of the past were laid out clearly; he had to be on guard.

"Sigh, you two have been together since childhood, as close as sisters; I'd have to be bored out of my mind to want to tear you apart."

"Then why did you..."

Wu Feng was bewildered.

If you don't intend to separate us, why point it out to my face?

To annoy me? To watch me make a fool of myself?

"Sigh, if it weren't for the warning from Cang Lan's ability, I wouldn't bother with you two at all."

Seeing this, Ning Huan immediately sighed and rubbed his forehead, then beckoned for Ning Tian to come over and pushed her to the front.

This left the girl, who was attempting to flee, feeling completely at a loss.

"Wu Feng, you should know that Uncle Ning has always been grooming Ning Tian as his successor."

"The position of Sect Master, the wishes of past Sect Masters, and even the inheritance of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda all rest upon one person."

"Tell me, do you think they would ever allow your dreams to become reality?"

She did not speak, but the unwillingness and tears in her crimson eyes were clearly visible.

Because that was the very reality she had been avoiding.

Seeing this, Ning Tian, who had grasped the cause and effect, wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn't utter a single word.

What could she say?

Refuse sternly?

Or just let it be and wait for time to smooth everything over?

She really didn't know what was going through Wu Feng's head!

Why couldn't they just be good sisters? Why did she have to dwell on such unrealistic things!

The problem wasn't just her thinking about it; the real issue was that Ning Huan found out.

This Young Sect Master actually had designs on him!

However, just as the two girls were lost in their own conflicting thoughts, what Ning Huan said next was something they never expected.

"Of course, I don't mean to stop you from fighting for love."

"I only hope you are prepared to stand against both the sect's higher-ups and secular morality."

"If you believe Ning Tian will accept this relationship and firmly walk by your side until the very end, then consider everything I just said to be complete nonsense."

"But if you lack that confidence, I advise you to give up early. Don't end up hurting yourself, hurting her, and dragging others down with you."

Wu Feng: "!"

Ning Tian: "?"

Wait a minute!

Is this right?!